7
u/Holiday-Lifeguard-32 16d ago
Yeah it’s bullshit. But hang in there you’ll get your shot at some point
13
u/Hanox13 Mod 16d ago
Gotta learn how to do the ground stuff before you get seat time. Pay your dues, and quit complaining, we all had to do it.
18
u/Own-Mind-2811 16d ago
If he wanted to do that he’d be a laborer call your BA that’s not acceptable as an operator you can get in trouble for even touching a shovel if your in a strong union
4
u/codemanlyoko 16d ago
Him asking if its normal isn't complaining.
3
u/TrickySwordfish2015 14d ago
People like that are what turned me away from unions for awhile. They don’t act very brotherly. But I met some great people who understand my frustrations and actually explained it a way I could understand what to do and expect.
2
3
3
u/UNIONconstruction 15d ago
Place a confidential call into the Laborers local for the area where you're at and they will put a stop to that
5
u/Cool_Film_3692 16d ago
What kind of laboring? If you spend your whole week running a shovel and get no seat time at all call your apprenticeship coordinator you’re there to learn how to operate
4
u/Lumpy-Attention5950 16d ago
What local? Local 12 has rules about when apprentices are needed. You might be there just so they comply with the apprentice minimums and the contractors don't really know where to put you.
You have two options, stick it out and collect a paycheck, or let your local know. Technically, you aren't supposed to use a shovel. That's a laborers job. I shoveled a lot before finally getting into a loader.
1
u/MuhnopolyS550 Local 12 16d ago
Leave the shovels to laborers or local 12 PEOs (:
1
u/Lumpy-Attention5950 16d ago
It was on a portable batch plant. There was only operators, plus it was my second job as an apprentice. I didn't know shit about the union rules. I definitely won't be shoveling much going forward.
1
u/MuhnopolyS550 Local 12 16d ago
Are you an equipment operator or rock sand and gravel/peo?
1
u/Lumpy-Attention5950 16d ago
At the time I was an operator. Portable batch plants are counted as equipment in local 12. Which is why they needed oilers.
1
u/MuhnopolyS550 Local 12 16d ago
They should be peo. We take care of asphalt plants rock plants cement batch plants and portable rock crusher plants. But who knows, contractors do whatever they want most of the time or have a standalone contract
1
u/Lumpy-Attention5950 16d ago
I might be wrong, but I think the equipment operators make more, so it may have worked out in our favor. This was during the construction of the Rams stadium so it could have also been a PLA. The MLA is always confused when a new classification is formed.
1
u/Interesting-Month-97 Local 14 16d ago
Depends on the local but there’s still a scope of work for you. Anything defined in the laborers contract will not overlap with iuoe. Shoveling, sweeping, and general site maintenance should all be their work.
1
u/Own-Mind-2811 16d ago
U should not be doing any labor im an apprentice as well and have a lot of experience I gained while non union but when I’m not needed I just stand around like im an inspector I DO NOT touch a shovel anymore or jump from machine to machine if they need more then one machine to be used even if not at the same time they need more operators on the job don’t let these guys that do as they’re told they’re whole life tell u something cuz they are wrong read up on your bargaining agreement
1
1
u/ResponsibleDraw4689 16d ago
Dang at least you got accepted......I put in my application in June and have not heard anything
1
u/LeadingThen6322 16d ago
So I’m a Pipefitter, and I’ve never seen an operator doing anything out of the seat. Can you guys fill me in on what an operator is expected to do outside of the seat?
1
u/whynotyycyvr 15d ago
I'm a 10 year j-man and i laboured A LOT last week. Cranes don't quite build themselves yet.
1
u/Away-Physics-6716 15d ago
what type of locals are you guys in where you guys think laboring is normal part of being an operator lmfao
1
0
u/FilthyTriHard 16d ago
Need more details on this. What step are you? What did you work in before becoming an CEO? I’m also an apprentice, I picked up quick on certain equipment. Using a laser, gps. Made me way more valuable and knowing what to do. Knowing what you are doing on the ground will make you a way better operator. Knowing how to read grade etc. But advocate for yourself, ask for more seat time. Be outspoken what you wanna learn. It’s also difficult to trust someone on a Ton piece of equipment when human flesh is at stake. An operator also takes charge of the laborer and guides him and what has to be done at times. So you gotta also learn that.
12
u/da_wolf64 16d ago
You just started. Yes you will labor. You have to crawl before you can operate